PLE falls to Australia in FIBA Esports Open finals

All series long, Australia’s defense held forth to deprive Aljon Cruzin of open space to put up a triple. (File Photo: @axville/Unsplash)

MANILA – Filipino squad Playbook Laus Esports fell prey to Australia in the Southeast Asia-Oceania Conference Finals of the FIBA Esports Open on Sunday night.

The “E-Boomers” swept “E-Gilas” in the best-of-three finals as the former made the needed adjustments from their last meeting, the finals preview right before the series that decided who will get home server advantage especially in defense.

All series long, Australia’s defense held forth to deprive Aljon Cruzin of open space to put up a triple.

Custer Galas, on the other hand, struggled to hit the excellent mark in his corner threes despite getting wide open.

Meanwhile, Jonte Burns caught fire in the first half of Game 1 and led Australia’s breakaway before holding off a late PLE rally to take a 64-56 victory.

Cooper Cameron and Kyle Vassallo, who started the event as a reserve but eventually replaced Cameron Sloper in the main team due to his long-range exploits, then caught fire from beyond the arc to set up Australia’s killer blow, a 69-54 Game 2 victory to complete the sweep.